Second Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024
9 a.m.
We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship. To learn more about the ministries we share in this place, you are invited to fill in one of the welcome cards found in the pew rack. We are glad you are here!
The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Very Rev. Nathaniel Katz, Dean Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Adagio in E Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
Hymn 208 Victory
The Word of God
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen. BCP page 355
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Collect for Purity page 355
Gloria S 278
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
William Mathias (1934–1992)
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading Acts 4:32–35
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 178
Alleluia No. 1
The Holy Gospel
John 20:19–31
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel reading, the Priest says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Children’s Sermon KariAnn Lessner, Minister for Children and Families
The Sermon
The Rev. Canon Luz Montes
The Nicene Creed page 358
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
The Peace
Celebrant
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord, after which the people are seated for brief announcements.
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory
Melody from Könisches Kirchengesäng (1623)
Anthem arr. Alice Parker (1925-2023)
The world itself is bright and gay, Hilariter. And keeps with Jesus Easter Day, Alleluya. The birds do sing on ev’ry bough, Hilariter.
All things with Christ are risen now, Alleluya. Our gladdest song shall therefore be, Hilariter. That God was reigning from the tree, Alleluya.
— from Könisches Kirchengesäng (1623)
English trans. George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934)
The Great Thanksgiving
Celebrant
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy.
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
The People remain standing.
The Eucharistic Prayer continues
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people. Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer page 364
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The sacrament of Holy Communion has been precious to Christians for 2,000 years. It is a way in which many sense the reality of God’s forgiveness, our union with God and each other, and the eternal life to which we belong. Please know that you do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Communion. To receive, you may kneel or stand at the altar rail. Receive the Bread in the palm of your hand and the Wine either by drinking from the cup or by intinction, touching the Bread to the Wine. Gluten-free Bread is available; simply ask at the altar rail. If you need Communion brought to you in the pew, please tell an usher.
At the Administration
medieval French melody; Carol arr. Alice Parker
Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain.
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
Forth he came at Easter like the risen grain.
He that for three days in the grave had lain.
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
— John Macleod Campbell Crum (1872-1958)The People stand.
Prayer after Communion
Celebrant Let us pray.
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
Hymn 180
The Dismissal
Unser Herrscher
Priest Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Closing Voluntary Postlude in D
Healey Willan (1880-1968)
Refreshments are available in Reynolds Hall.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 4:32–35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
The Epistle
1 John 1:1–2:2
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was continued on next page
continued from previous page
revealed to us — we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
The Gospel
John 20:19–31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Alice “Sissy” Jenkins and Michael DeVoll.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of James Leonard Dougherty, Jewel Kendall and William Brooke Hamilton, Henry Kendall Hamilton, Newton Gilbert Dougherty and Maribel Kendall Daffan by Anne and Jim Dougherty Jr.
Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun. Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly. Please be advised that our services are livestreamed to Vimeo and Facebook. Your participation in the service serves as your consent to the broadcast of your image and voice and to the broadcast of the image and voice of your participating minor children.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Announcements
TODAY
Secondhand Religion Returns
• Our series continues today at the Dean’s Hour in Reynolds Hall at 10 a.m. Hear from Canon Liz Kronenberg, as she reflects on figures from her life who have shaped her faith journey. Canon Luz Montes will present on Sunday, April 28. Learn more about these and other upcoming Dean’s Hours at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/deanshour
How to Bible Begins Tonight
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This four-week class looks at the Church’s theology about the Bible, how that theology shapes our use of the Bible, and how using scripture can turn these ancient writings into a site for meeting God today. Led by Canon Bradley Varnell, the class runs on Sunday evenings, 6-7:15 p.m. following The Well, through April 28. To register visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/howtobible
Dying in Christ • You’re invited to this three-week series exploring the theology and liturgy that surrounds death and burial in the Episcopal Church, as well as practical information on planning for a funeral. Join us from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, April 10, 17, and 24, in the Mellinger Room. Register by April 8 by emailing Claire Soard at csoard@christchurchcathedral.org
Newcomer Party
• The Welcome Council invites those who are new, or who may still feel new, to an evening of fellowship. Join fellow parishioners and Cathedral staff for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and lively conversation on Wednesday, April 10 at 6 p.m. For questions or to RSVP and receive address details, contact Elizabeth Cuevas at ecuevas@christchurchcathedral.org
Spring Neighborhood Gatherings
• Hosted in the homes of Cathedral members across Houston, these gatherings are a wonderful way to connect with fellow parishioners, clergy, staff, and lay leaders in a more casual, intimate setting. Upcoming events will be April 12, May 7, and May 9, all from 6-7:30 p.m. Capacity is limited so reservations are required. To RSVP contact Lisa Cantu at lcantu@christchurchcathedral.org
Gather Round for May Fete
• Participate in one of the oldest Cathedral traditions, as our annual May Fete celebration takes place on Sunday, May 5! A special bilingual Eucharist will be held at 10 a.m., followed by the maypole festivities in the Bishop’s Courtyard. Stay for food, games, fun and fellowship perfect for all ages. Visit the table in the cloister each Sunday in April to learn more and volunteer, or visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/mayfete
Make your 2024 EMC Pledge
• There’s still time to make your annual pledge! Submit your pledge by dropping a pledge card in the offering plate or scan the QR code to pledge online. Questions? Contact CFO Patrick Saccomanno at psaccomanno@ christchurchcathedral.org or 713-220-9759.
Looking for Children’s Ministry
• Follow Agnus to the Jones Building. Gather first in the Chapel of the Christ Child at 10 a.m. Sunday School for ages 2 years–5th grade is held on the 2nd floor following the gathering. Childcare for infants (6 weeks–5 yrs) can be found on the 1st floor or enjoy some time on the Huffington Playground. Questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line
• 713-826-5332